Great Britain’s teamwork in the UCI Women’s World Road Race gives Lizzie Deignan hope ahead of next year’s event in Norway, despite the 2015 champion losing her rainbow jersey in Doha.
Deignan, formerly Armitstead, finished fourth in a bunch sprint, not her ideal choice of finish, as Denmark’s Amalie Dideriksen took her first senior world title.
Deignan’s teammates were visible on the front of the peloton for the majority of the race as they tried to control attacks for Deignan to try her luck at the finish.
Dani King, London 2012 team pursuit Olympic Champion, and Hannah Barnes, current national champion, were particularly prominent in the final few laps of the 135km course.
Amber Neben, time trial champion from earlier in the week, tried her luck with a solo attack but the British team, working with the Dutch, brought her back before King tested the water with an attack of her own.
No-one was allowed to get away though and the Dutch side were perfectly placed to set up Kirsten Wild in a straight run to the line.
But Wild had to settle for second as Dideriksen pipped her at the finish, with Deignan finishing behind Finland’sLotta Lepisto, in fourth.
The 2015 champion said she saw enough in this year’s team - comprised of her, King, Barnes, Eileen Roe, Alice Barnes, Abby-Mae Parkinson, Annasley Park and Laura Massey - to give her hope ahead of next year’s race in Bergen.
“I loved it, what a great team, what a great atmosphere,” said the 27-year-old.
“They put it all on the line, we worked really well as a team and, going forwards, that’s something I feel really positive about.
“I’m looking forwards to Norway and going there with a group of women who can really produce something together, it’s a great prospect.”
The younger Barnes sister finished 46th with King and Roe in 56th and 57th, respectively, while Hannah rolled in 76th, Parkinson three places back and Park in 82nd – Massey failed to finish.
Sportsbeat